As leaves on the trees turn from green to varying shades of red and gold and swirl like multicolored pools across lawns and streets as they are caught by a breeze, I find myself looking back over this summer's growing season and all of the unique people I had the pleasure of meeting.

We have a little greenhouse set up, which is visible from the highway, and it draws in people like moths to a flame. So I get to indulge myself as I pass the time talking with local growers as well as those "just passing through" on their way home or to some far-off destination.

It reminds me of the days when there was no Internet, and telephones could be two-party lines or more, which meant that anyone could listen in on your conversations (though they weren't supposed to). It was a time when people had no other mode of communicating except to either gather at each others' homes, write letters or meet at the local diner, to catch up on each others lives' and swap information over cups of coffee and slices of pie.

People looked out for their neighbors, offered a hand when it was time to harvest, looked in on the elderly and were there in a crisis. Times were harder then, but also slower. Nothing is ever perfect.

And with all of the talk in the news media lately about our carbon footprint, and being gentle with Mother Earth, it seems that there has always been, and will always be, people who get it. Yes, there are many who don't garden, but if given the opportunity, they at least buy from the local farmer's market and practice mindful ecology.

Then, there are some who have big compost piles that they use to put back in their gardens, flowerbeds and yards. Still more have never used synthetic chemicals to grow flowers, let alone vegetables (Nebraska has the most organic growers in the five-state region). Then, there are those who are just now getting into growing their own produce.

There were even growers who needed some compost for gardens because their piles weren't ready yet, so I offered some of mine. I have a compost pile plus I vermicompost, so I have some to spare.

Yet, when they stopped in later in the week to pick up the compost, they were mildly surprised that I actually brought the compost for them to have. But isn't that what growers do? We share.

To me, growers are from that long-ago era. When we get together, whether it is just two or a whole room full, the air becomes charged and time flies. Not only are we swapping growing tips and gathering information, but we are connecting, even if it is only for a short time, and that is something that seems to be in short supply in the 21st century.

Paula Christensen manages Grapevine Hobby Greenhouses in Rapid City. She has more than 30 years experience in agriculture, commercial greenhouses and has been gardening in her own greenhouse for eight years. To contact her, call 342-1307 or e-mail bill@grapevinehobby.com